used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When the Diplomacy Bureau at home is composed of hopeless incompetents, the Venusians are rattling the sabre, and it looks as if an utterly senseless war is going to result, a little screwball stuff can be forgiven--if it works!
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading But fashion decreed that the ropy circle of tentacles about the neck of the female Martian would be worn short that year, and everybody in the Matriarchy, from Girl Guide to the Serene Karfiness herself, obeyed without question.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading When the Diplomacy Bureau at home is composed of hopeless incompetents, the Venusians are rattling the sabre, and it looks as if an utterly senseless war is going to result, a little screwball stuff can be forgiven--if it works!
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When the Diplomacy Bureau at home is composed of hopeless incompetents, the Venusians are rattling the sabre, and it looks as if an utterly senseless war is going to result, a little screwball stuff can be forgiven--if it works!
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading When the Diplomacy Bureau at home is composed of hopeless incompetents, the Venusians are rattling the sabre, and it looks as if an utterly senseless war is going to result, a little screwball stuff can be forgiven--if it works!
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading When the Diplomacy Bureau at home is composed of hopeless incompetents, the Venusians are rattling the sabre, and it looks as if an utterly senseless war is going to result, a little screwball stuff can be forgiven--if it works!
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When the Diplomacy Bureau at home is composed of hopeless incompetents, the Venusians are rattling the sabre, and it looks as if an utterly senseless war is going to result, a little screwball stuff can be forgiven--if it works!
to a severe or serious degree
From this reading If the Karfiness hadn't cut herself badly while she was trimming her chelae one morning the whole mess might never have happened.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading When the Diplomacy Bureau at home is composed of hopeless incompetents, the Venusians are rattling the sabre, and it looks as if an utterly senseless war is going to result, a little screwball stuff can be forgiven--if it works!
BureaunounUS /ˈbjʊroʊ/
an administrative unit of government
From this reading When the Diplomacy Bureau at home is composed of hopeless incompetents, the Venusians are rattling the sabre, and it looks as if an utterly senseless war is going to result, a little screwball stuff can be forgiven--if it works!
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But fashion decreed that the ropy circle of tentacles about the neck of the female Martian would be worn short that year, and everybody in the Matriarchy, from Girl Guide to the Serene Karfiness herself, obeyed without question.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading When the Diplomacy Bureau at home is composed of hopeless incompetents, the Venusians are rattling the sabre, and it looks as if an utterly senseless war is going to result, a little screwball stuff can be forgiven--if it works!
chatverbUS /tʃæt/
talk socially without exchanging too much information
From this reading That was why her temper was short that morning, and why she snapped at the Venusian Plenipotentiary who had come to chat with her concerning the space-mining rights for the following year.
chelae
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the Karfiness hadn't cut herself badly while she was trimming her chelae one morning the whole mess might never have happened.
ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading But fashion decreed that the ropy circle of tentacles about the neck of the female Martian would be worn short that year, and everybody in the Matriarchy, from Girl Guide to the Serene Karfiness herself, obeyed without question.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading That was why her temper was short that morning, and why she snapped at the Venusian Plenipotentiary who had come to chat with her concerning the space-mining rights for the following year.
serenely self-possessed and free from agitation especially in times of stress
From this reading When the Diplomacy Bureau at home is composed of hopeless incompetents, the Venusians are rattling the sabre, and it looks as if an utterly senseless war is going to result, a little screwball stuff can be forgiven--if it works!
-ing form of “concern” — be relevant to
From this reading That was why her temper was short that morning, and why she snapped at the Venusian Plenipotentiary who had come to chat with her concerning the space-mining rights for the following year.
CRISISnounUS /ˈkraɪsəs/
an unstable situation of extreme danger or difficulty
From this reading CRISIS!
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading If the Karfiness hadn't cut herself badly while she was trimming her chelae one morning the whole mess might never have happened.
decreedadjectiveUS /dɪˈkriːd/
fixed or established especially by order or command
From this reading But fashion decreed that the ropy circle of tentacles about the neck of the female Martian would be worn short that year, and everybody in the Matriarchy, from Girl Guide to the Serene Karfiness herself, obeyed without question.
DiplomacynounUS /dɪˈploʊməsi/
negotiation between nations
From this reading When the Diplomacy Bureau at home is composed of hopeless incompetents, the Venusians are rattling the sabre, and it looks as if an utterly senseless war is going to result, a little screwball stuff can be forgiven--if it works!
every person
From this reading But fashion decreed that the ropy circle of tentacles about the neck of the female Martian would be worn short that year, and everybody in the Matriarchy, from Girl Guide to the Serene Karfiness herself, obeyed without question.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading But fashion decreed that the ropy circle of tentacles about the neck of the female Martian would be worn short that year, and everybody in the Matriarchy, from Girl Guide to the Serene Karfiness herself, obeyed without question.
being the sex (of plant or animal) that produces fertilizable gametes (ova) from which offspring develop
From this reading But fashion decreed that the ropy circle of tentacles about the neck of the female Martian would be worn short that year, and everybody in the Matriarchy, from Girl Guide to the Serene Karfiness herself, obeyed without question.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading That was why her temper was short that morning, and why she snapped at the Venusian Plenipotentiary who had come to chat with her concerning the space-mining rights for the following year.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading That was why her temper was short that morning, and why she snapped at the Venusian Plenipotentiary who had come to chat with her concerning the space-mining rights for the following year.
forgivenverbUS /fərˈɡɪvən/
inflected form of “forgive” — stop blaming or grant forgiveness
From this reading When the Diplomacy Bureau at home is composed of hopeless incompetents, the Venusians are rattling the sabre, and it looks as if an utterly senseless war is going to result, a little screwball stuff can be forgiven--if it works!
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But fashion decreed that the ropy circle of tentacles about the neck of the female Martian would be worn short that year, and everybody in the Matriarchy, from Girl Guide to the Serene Karfiness herself, obeyed without question.
a young female
From this reading But fashion decreed that the ropy circle of tentacles about the neck of the female Martian would be worn short that year, and everybody in the Matriarchy, from Girl Guide to the Serene Karfiness herself, obeyed without question.
the act of departing
From this reading When the Diplomacy Bureau at home is composed of hopeless incompetents, the Venusians are rattling the sabre, and it looks as if an utterly senseless war is going to result, a little screwball stuff can be forgiven--if it works!
someone employed to conduct others
From this reading But fashion decreed that the ropy circle of tentacles about the neck of the female Martian would be worn short that year, and everybody in the Matriarchy, from Girl Guide to the Serene Karfiness herself, obeyed without question.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading That was why her temper was short that morning, and why she snapped at the Venusian Plenipotentiary who had come to chat with her concerning the space-mining rights for the following year.
hadn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the Karfiness hadn't cut herself badly while she was trimming her chelae one morning the whole mess might never have happened.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading If the Karfiness hadn't cut herself badly while she was trimming her chelae one morning the whole mess might never have happened.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading If the Karfiness hadn't cut herself badly while she was trimming her chelae one morning the whole mess might never have happened.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading If the Karfiness hadn't cut herself badly while she was trimming her chelae one morning the whole mess might never have happened.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading If the Karfiness hadn't cut herself badly while she was trimming her chelae one morning the whole mess might never have happened.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading When the Diplomacy Bureau at home is composed of hopeless incompetents, the Venusians are rattling the sabre, and it looks as if an utterly senseless war is going to result, a little screwball stuff can be forgiven--if it works!
hopelessadjectiveUS /ˈhoʊpləs/
without hope because there seems to be no possibility of comfort or success
From this reading When the Diplomacy Bureau at home is composed of hopeless incompetents, the Venusians are rattling the sabre, and it looks as if an utterly senseless war is going to result, a little screwball stuff can be forgiven--if it works!
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading When the Diplomacy Bureau at home is composed of hopeless incompetents, the Venusians are rattling the sabre, and it looks as if an utterly senseless war is going to result, a little screwball stuff can be forgiven--if it works!
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But fashion decreed that the ropy circle of tentacles about the neck of the female Martian would be worn short that year, and everybody in the Matriarchy, from Girl Guide to the Serene Karfiness herself, obeyed without question.
incompetentsnounUS /ˌɪŋˈkɑːmpətənts/
plural of “incompetent” — someone who is not competent to take effective action
From this reading When the Diplomacy Bureau at home is composed of hopeless incompetents, the Venusians are rattling the sabre, and it looks as if an utterly senseless war is going to result, a little screwball stuff can be forgiven--if it works!
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When the Diplomacy Bureau at home is composed of hopeless incompetents, the Venusians are rattling the sabre, and it looks as if an utterly senseless war is going to result, a little screwball stuff can be forgiven--if it works!
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading When the Diplomacy Bureau at home is composed of hopeless incompetents, the Venusians are rattling the sabre, and it looks as if an utterly senseless war is going to result, a little screwball stuff can be forgiven--if it works!
Karfiness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the Karfiness hadn't cut herself badly while she was trimming her chelae one morning the whole mess might never have happened.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading When the Diplomacy Bureau at home is composed of hopeless incompetents, the Venusians are rattling the sabre, and it looks as if an utterly senseless war is going to result, a little screwball stuff can be forgiven--if it works!
plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading When the Diplomacy Bureau at home is composed of hopeless incompetents, the Venusians are rattling the sabre, and it looks as if an utterly senseless war is going to result, a little screwball stuff can be forgiven--if it works!
MartiannounUS /ˈmɑːrʃən/
imaginary people who live on the planet Mars
From this reading But fashion decreed that the ropy circle of tentacles about the neck of the female Martian would be worn short that year, and everybody in the Matriarchy, from Girl Guide to the Serene Karfiness herself, obeyed without question.
MatriarchynounUS /ˈmeɪtriɑːrki/
a form of social organization in which a female is the family head and title is traced through the female line
From this reading But fashion decreed that the ropy circle of tentacles about the neck of the female Martian would be worn short that year, and everybody in the Matriarchy, from Girl Guide to the Serene Karfiness herself, obeyed without question.
messnounUS /mes/
a state of confusion and disorderliness
From this reading If the Karfiness hadn't cut herself badly while she was trimming her chelae one morning the whole mess might never have happened.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading If the Karfiness hadn't cut herself badly while she was trimming her chelae one morning the whole mess might never have happened.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading If the Karfiness hadn't cut herself badly while she was trimming her chelae one morning the whole mess might never have happened.
the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body
From this reading But fashion decreed that the ropy circle of tentacles about the neck of the female Martian would be worn short that year, and everybody in the Matriarchy, from Girl Guide to the Serene Karfiness herself, obeyed without question.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading If the Karfiness hadn't cut herself badly while she was trimming her chelae one morning the whole mess might never have happened.
past form of “obey” — be obedient to
From this reading But fashion decreed that the ropy circle of tentacles about the neck of the female Martian would be worn short that year, and everybody in the Matriarchy, from Girl Guide to the Serene Karfiness herself, obeyed without question.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When the Diplomacy Bureau at home is composed of hopeless incompetents, the Venusians are rattling the sabre, and it looks as if an utterly senseless war is going to result, a little screwball stuff can be forgiven--if it works!
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading If the Karfiness hadn't cut herself badly while she was trimming her chelae one morning the whole mess might never have happened.
Plenipotentiarynoun
a diplomat who is fully authorized to represent his or her government
From this reading That was why her temper was short that morning, and why she snapped at the Venusian Plenipotentiary who had come to chat with her concerning the space-mining rights for the following year.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading But fashion decreed that the ropy circle of tentacles about the neck of the female Martian would be worn short that year, and everybody in the Matriarchy, from Girl Guide to the Serene Karfiness herself, obeyed without question.
rattlingnounUS /ˈrætlɪŋ/
a rapid series of short loud sounds (as might be heard with a stethoscope in some types of respiratory disorders)
From this reading When the Diplomacy Bureau at home is composed of hopeless incompetents, the Venusians are rattling the sabre, and it looks as if an utterly senseless war is going to result, a little screwball stuff can be forgiven--if it works!
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading When the Diplomacy Bureau at home is composed of hopeless incompetents, the Venusians are rattling the sabre, and it looks as if an utterly senseless war is going to result, a little screwball stuff can be forgiven--if it works!
plural of “right” — an abstract idea of that which is due to a person or governmental body by law or tradition or nature
From this reading That was why her temper was short that morning, and why she snapped at the Venusian Plenipotentiary who had come to chat with her concerning the space-mining rights for the following year.
ropyadjective
of or resembling rope (or ropes) in being long and strong
From this reading But fashion decreed that the ropy circle of tentacles about the neck of the female Martian would be worn short that year, and everybody in the Matriarchy, from Girl Guide to the Serene Karfiness herself, obeyed without question.
sabrenounUS /ˈseɪbər/
a fencing sword with a v-shaped blade and a slightly curved handle
From this reading When the Diplomacy Bureau at home is composed of hopeless incompetents, the Venusians are rattling the sabre, and it looks as if an utterly senseless war is going to result, a little screwball stuff can be forgiven--if it works!
screwballnounUS /ˈskruːbɔːl/
a whimsically eccentric person
From this reading When the Diplomacy Bureau at home is composed of hopeless incompetents, the Venusians are rattling the sabre, and it looks as if an utterly senseless war is going to result, a little screwball stuff can be forgiven--if it works!
senselessadjectiveUS /ˈsensləs/
not marked by the use of reason
From this reading When the Diplomacy Bureau at home is composed of hopeless incompetents, the Venusians are rattling the sabre, and it looks as if an utterly senseless war is going to result, a little screwball stuff can be forgiven--if it works!
SereneadjectiveUS /sərˈiːn/
not agitated; without losing self-possession
From this reading But fashion decreed that the ropy circle of tentacles about the neck of the female Martian would be worn short that year, and everybody in the Matriarchy, from Girl Guide to the Serene Karfiness herself, obeyed without question.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If the Karfiness hadn't cut herself badly while she was trimming her chelae one morning the whole mess might never have happened.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading But fashion decreed that the ropy circle of tentacles about the neck of the female Martian would be worn short that year, and everybody in the Matriarchy, from Girl Guide to the Serene Karfiness herself, obeyed without question.
snappedverbUS /snæpt/
inflected form of “snap” — utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone
From this reading That was why her temper was short that morning, and why she snapped at the Venusian Plenipotentiary who had come to chat with her concerning the space-mining rights for the following year.
space-mining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was why her temper was short that morning, and why she snapped at the Venusian Plenipotentiary who had come to chat with her concerning the space-mining rights for the following year.
the tangible substance that goes into the makeup of a physical object
From this reading When the Diplomacy Bureau at home is composed of hopeless incompetents, the Venusians are rattling the sabre, and it looks as if an utterly senseless war is going to result, a little screwball stuff can be forgiven--if it works!
a sudden outburst of anger
From this reading That was why her temper was short that morning, and why she snapped at the Venusian Plenipotentiary who had come to chat with her concerning the space-mining rights for the following year.
tentaclesnounUS /ˈtentəkəlz/
plural of “tentacle” — something that acts like a tentacle in its ability to grasp and hold
From this reading But fashion decreed that the ropy circle of tentacles about the neck of the female Martian would be worn short that year, and everybody in the Matriarchy, from Girl Guide to the Serene Karfiness herself, obeyed without question.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But fashion decreed that the ropy circle of tentacles about the neck of the female Martian would be worn short that year, and everybody in the Matriarchy, from Girl Guide to the Serene Karfiness herself, obeyed without question.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When the Diplomacy Bureau at home is composed of hopeless incompetents, the Venusians are rattling the sabre, and it looks as if an utterly senseless war is going to result, a little screwball stuff can be forgiven--if it works!
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When the Diplomacy Bureau at home is composed of hopeless incompetents, the Venusians are rattling the sabre, and it looks as if an utterly senseless war is going to result, a little screwball stuff can be forgiven--if it works!
trimmingnounUS /ˈtrɪmɪŋ/
the act of adding decoration
From this reading If the Karfiness hadn't cut herself badly while she was trimming her chelae one morning the whole mess might never have happened.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading When the Diplomacy Bureau at home is composed of hopeless incompetents, the Venusians are rattling the sabre, and it looks as if an utterly senseless war is going to result, a little screwball stuff can be forgiven--if it works!
Venusian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was why her temper was short that morning, and why she snapped at the Venusian Plenipotentiary who had come to chat with her concerning the space-mining rights for the following year.
Venusians
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the Diplomacy Bureau at home is composed of hopeless incompetents, the Venusians are rattling the sabre, and it looks as if an utterly senseless war is going to result, a little screwball stuff can be forgiven--if it works!
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading When the Diplomacy Bureau at home is composed of hopeless incompetents, the Venusians are rattling the sabre, and it looks as if an utterly senseless war is going to result, a little screwball stuff can be forgiven--if it works!
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading If the Karfiness hadn't cut herself badly while she was trimming her chelae one morning the whole mess might never have happened.
at the time that
From this reading When the Diplomacy Bureau at home is composed of hopeless incompetents, the Venusians are rattling the sabre, and it looks as if an utterly senseless war is going to result, a little screwball stuff can be forgiven--if it works!
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading If the Karfiness hadn't cut herself badly while she was trimming her chelae one morning the whole mess might never have happened.
which person or people
From this reading That was why her temper was short that morning, and why she snapped at the Venusian Plenipotentiary who had come to chat with her concerning the space-mining rights for the following year.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading If the Karfiness hadn't cut herself badly while she was trimming her chelae one morning the whole mess might never have happened.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading That was why her temper was short that morning, and why she snapped at the Venusian Plenipotentiary who had come to chat with her concerning the space-mining rights for the following year.
in the company of; together with
From this reading That was why her temper was short that morning, and why she snapped at the Venusian Plenipotentiary who had come to chat with her concerning the space-mining rights for the following year.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading But fashion decreed that the ropy circle of tentacles about the neck of the female Martian would be worn short that year, and everybody in the Matriarchy, from Girl Guide to the Serene Karfiness herself, obeyed without question.
buildings for carrying on industrial labor
From this reading When the Diplomacy Bureau at home is composed of hopeless incompetents, the Venusians are rattling the sabre, and it looks as if an utterly senseless war is going to result, a little screwball stuff can be forgiven--if it works!
Damaged or thinned by continuous use.
From this reading But fashion decreed that the ropy circle of tentacles about the neck of the female Martian would be worn short that year, and everybody in the Matriarchy, from Girl Guide to the Serene Karfiness herself, obeyed without question.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading But fashion decreed that the ropy circle of tentacles about the neck of the female Martian would be worn short that year, and everybody in the Matriarchy, from Girl Guide to the Serene Karfiness herself, obeyed without question.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading But fashion decreed that the ropy circle of tentacles about the neck of the female Martian would be worn short that year, and everybody in the Matriarchy, from Girl Guide to the Serene Karfiness herself, obeyed without question.
